Kelly Case wrote:......., one thing that we found was that the binding action of the laminea created by nailing into the hoof plate ...
Please detail how you are nailing into the plate, and why.
A simple explanation is the hoofplate acts like a huge washer for the nails creating an even pressure over the horny wall and helps bind the distended laminea back together thermal images show a return of normal blood flow in the hoof.
Once the laminae have disinterdigitated, how can anything bind them back together?
My problem with the hoof plate is that I personally have an issue with throwing a ton of screws into an already damaged and weakened hoof wall and I have seen quite a number of quicks which in turn cause abscessing because of the screw depth and placement.
Ever consider using shorter screws, fewer of them, and a methacrylate to hold the plate in place?
Now I could be wrong here but I was taught to do as little damage as possible to the horny structure, so we (Max and I) started experimenting with different methods of binding the laminea in a less invasive manner and have come up with a method that at this time seems to be working quite well, though the study is ongoing.
Are you actually binding the laminae together again or merely stabilizing the hoof capsule? If it is the former, please explain, mechanically and anatomically, how you can cause this action to occur.
I also question leaving the horse go for 16 weeks between trims and hoofplate applications, especially considering that the hoof plate does seem to promote hoof growth.
Perhaps that is a question best asked of and explained by Mr. Nolan. After all, he is the one with the most experience with the protocol, right?
Once our studies are far enough along that I feel comfortable with them I will be putting together an article with our data and images (radiographs, thermal images still pics and video) that explain what we have done.
I'll look forward to seeing the article. Will you be submitting it to the AFJ?
Also, the use of thermography is still rather controversial so I would hope that the other parts of the study will be better grounded.
I find that a roll of plumbing strap that you can buy at the hardware store will do the same thing as the plate and is actually easier to work with than the plate itself and is more cost effective.
What studies have you done to confirm this observation?